Frank Slide Interpretive Centre

Museums

Canada's Deadliest Rockslide

“I awoke to the sound of a rumbling roar transcending description… A terrific weight came down on us and I could not move...I was vaguely aware that some dreadful tragedy had happened, and I prayed for help.” Jessie Leitch

At 4:10 in the morning on April 29, 1903, 82 million tonnes of rock thundered from Turtle Mountain and buried part of the coal mining town of Frank. It is believed that more than 90 people were killed. In less than 100 seconds, the slide covered three square kilometres of the Crowsnest valley under a layer of rock up to 45 metres deep.

The Crowsnest Pass has a dark and compelling history.

Alberta's three deadliest disasters unfolded in the dangerous shadow of Turtle Mountain.